In the face of a massive deployment of troops and tanks around Jakarta overnight, a main opposition leader early this morning called off his plan to bring millions onto the streets of the Indonesian capital today to demand the immediate resignation of President Suharto.
Dr Amien Rais, head of a 28million strong Islamic movement, who earlier had called for a "people's power" show of strength, issued a statement saying: "Since midnight I have been observing the military preparations for a crackdown on the people who are going to demonstrate today, so I make a very strong appeal to stay at home to avoid bloodshed."
After yesterday's dramatic promise by President Suharto that he would hold new elections and stand down as Indonesia's leader, the army moved into Jakarta in force early this morning, setting up barbed-wire barriers at intersections and placing heavy armour at strategic points near the 132-metre National Monument, site for the biggest planned demonstration. Earlier General Wiranto, head of the armed forces, warned protesters not to go ahead. The army did not move on the parliament, however, where protesting students have set up camp calling for Mr Suharto to resign immediately.
While it is uncertain if Dr Rais's statement will come in time to prevent people trying to demonstrate, his climb-down is a major psychological victory for the embattled 76-year-old president. Earlier Dr Rais had said President Suharto's statement had been disappointing and "I think people will be more motivated to come down to the streets to protest until finally the old man goes forever." Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, leader of the biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, had already appealed to students to call off their three months of protests.
The rising tension in Jakarta prompted the British government to warn all British passport holders to leave immediately, and city hotels advised guests to stay indoors and keep away from windows and balconies.
Thousands of students were permitted to take over parliament yesterday. Last night a carnival atmosphere prevailed with students riding the lifts, camping on the dome-shaped roof, sleeping on the manicured lawns and smoking in corridors where hardly a dissenting voice was heard during President Suharto's 32-year reign.
Student spokespersons said they would continue their campaign for Mr Suharto's resignation as they did not trust him to carry out his promises. A group carried a black coffin with his picture around parliament grounds. One banner on the roof read: "Quickly remove and prosecute Suharto".
In a televised speech from the presidential palace yesterday morning, President Suharto promised new elections as soon as possible and said he would not stand again. He did not give a timetable, but the Environment Minister, Mr Juwono Sudasono, said the plan was for elections in three to six months. "There will be a new president by the end of the year," he said. A new electoral law drawn up by a reform committee should be ready within two months, he said.
This would enable the formation of a new People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which has the power to decide the presidency. The president's speech, delivered in a relaxed manner with Gen Wiranto in attendance, produced a modest recovery in Jakarta's financial markets.
Anti-Suharto financial workers demonstrated at the Stock Exchange yesterday morning. Nearly 60 anti-Suharto demonstrators were injured yesterday when army trucks drove into them at two universities in Indonesia's second city of Surabaya.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, today made plain his view that President Suharto should resign without delay and Britain said yesterday Jakarta should ensure "free and fair" elections.
Political chaos is likely to delay the next payment on a $40 billion rescue deal, the US said.